In a group of middle-aged people, about 3 out of 10 women and men have too much fat under the skin of the belly, while about 4 out of 10 have too much fat around their internal organs, based on CT scans.

Scientific Claim

In a community-based sample of middle-aged adults (mean age 52 years), approximately 30% of women and 31% of men have elevated subcutaneous abdominal fat, while 44% of women and 42% of men have elevated visceral fat, as measured by computed tomography scans.

Original Statement

“The prevalence of high SAT was 30% (women) and 31% (men) and that for high VAT was 44% (women) and 42% (men).”

From study:Patterns of Abdominal Fat Distribution

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The claim states a factual prevalence rate from the study's measurements, which is appropriate for an observational study. No causal language is used, and the description is specific to the study population.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Patterns of Abdominal Fat Distribution

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2009 Mar

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Patterns of Abdominal Fat Distribution

Score: 56

DOI: 10.2337/dc08-1359

Similar Assertions

As people get older, they tend to have more fat around their organs and less under the skin, making weight and waist measurements less reliable for detecting health risks in seniors.

83%

Almost 3 out of 10 middle-aged people have mismatched fat distribution: some have more internal fat but less under the skin, while others have the opposite, showing fat isn't always stored the same way.

82%

Even people with a large waist size can have normal levels of internal fat: about 1 in 3 men and women in this study had this, showing waist size isn't always a perfect indicator of visceral fat.

82%

Even people with a normal waist size can have too much fat around their organs: about 1 in 4 men and 1 in 12 women in this study had this hidden fat, showing waist size alone isn't always reliable.

82%

Even among people classified as obese by BMI, about 1 in 4 men and 1 in 10 women don't have excess fat around their organs, showing BMI doesn't always reflect internal fat levels.

81%